questions about an 85 325e (e30)

[darion45405]

so i just traded a blazer for this car, and so far i am loving it (even with the issues). the problem is i know absolutely NOTHING about a bmw.so here are my questions.

1. the turn signals both work only in the morning, in the afternoon the right one stays on solid and the left blinks fast and is very dim in the front. i just replaced both bulbs. could it still be the blinker relay in the column?

2. the check light on the cluster constantly blinks. if it is like the chevy obd1 then it would be blinking 1, 1, 1, and so on. what is that and is there a way to check it without a scan tool (like the chevy system)?

3. on the information thing next the radio that tells you stuff like average mpg and stuff. how do you turn that from metric to standard?

4. i am getting a strange noise from the back, it sounds like the fuel pump whirring but it just seems really loud for a fuel pump.

5. last one. where do you add clutch fluid at? i have looked all over the place and i cant find the reservoir.

also any other information you can tell me such as quirks common to these cars would be very appreciated. thank you.

[Nick_318is]

Here is what I can say:
1. Did you only replace front bulbs, it might be the rears and or a relay.

2. You can try this test and see if you get any codes. Pelican Technical Article: Reading BMW Fuel Injection Fault Codes

5. The brake fluid reservoir , the brakes and clutch both get fluid from it.

The others i'm not sure on and hopefully someone here can help you out with those.

[darkhorse737]

1. probs looks to me like a poor contact with bulb at the socket. I suggest you clean all sockets before installing the bulbs. The "blinks very fast" - that is an indication that RELAY WORKS but one of the bulbs(or it's connection) is malfunctioning. If it blinks fast on the left, the concentrate ur efforts on the left. ;-)

2. Nick is correct. Pelican articles ca give you a world of info on bimmer tech. Note though that the on-board diagnostics of BMW will work ONLY if the internal battery(behind the instrument cluster) is functioning fine.

3. metric to standard. try and get hold of an owner's manual. it will provide you the sequence that u need to proceed with.

4. if press your ear to the body closest to the tank, u should be ale to discern better. fuel pump that is audible is not normal, and u may want to replace it before it goes bad on you on the road.

E30's are fun to drive... Welcome to the club :-D

[darion45405]

thank you for all the info. i went to the pelican sight it was very informative. the only owners manual i could find was on e-bay, and they wanted like $170. i was able to find out how to reset the onboard computer from another site i found on this forum. i will try to figure out the turn signal thing this weekend. and yes even with the bad sway bar bushings i already love this car.

[pinnaclebass]

3. its a small pencil size input for my OBC to change from standard to metric. you just tap it once or twice. My 90 525I changes with actual S/ Reset button.

on the lights it maybe turn signal relay. i have found that disconnects can occur on the lights themselves<<perhaps by aggressively driving . check terminals for light bulbs and electrical connections. be careful of turn signal switch might be bad or check connection. ive had to change mine. check for relay to hazard light. if u press the hazard just slightly on either left or right side you might be able to get a blinker to come on. this mostly is an indication of a bad switch.

5. i dont believe the brake fluid reservoir is for the clutch, or manual transmission?? is that right? or is it under car some where??

[Nick_318is]

I'm sure the clutch fluid is the brake fluid, see this DIY:
e30tech.com

[SandiegoStemcells]

I am also new to the "Beemer club." One thing you have to get is a Bentley Manual.
Amazon.com for ~$50 new... you can find cheaper ones on there used....

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

Originally Posted by darion45405

1. the turn signals both work only in the morning, in the afternoon the right one stays on solid and the left blinks fast and is very dim in the front. i just replaced both bulbs. could it still be the blinker relay in the column?

Clean all the connections at the bulbs and makesure their all the same brand.. i had an issue like this with my 740.....

Originally Posted by darion45405

2. the check light on the cluster constantly blinks. if it is like the chevy obd1 then it would be blinking 1, 1, 1, and so on. what is that and is there a way to check it without a scan tool (like the chevy system)?

..... that isn't a CEL it is telling you to Check the "check board" it is the little bored with the red leds that tells you when your lights are out or fluids are low.... click the button on it and the Check will stop blinking because you checked it (also check the item thats lite up....)

Originally Posted by darion45405

3. on the information thing next the radio that tells you stuff like average mpg and stuff. how do you turn that from metric to standard?

Originally Posted by darion45405

4. i am getting a strange noise from the back, it sounds like the fuel pump whirring but it just seems really loud for a fuel pump.

as Pinn said "its a small pencil size input for my OBC to change from standard to metric. you just tap it once or twice" my car had to be in the range or mpg / liters :100 km's

Originally Posted by darion45405

5. last one. where do you add clutch fluid at? i have looked all over the place and i cant find the reservoir.

.... why? it is low? it is the same res. as the brake fluid use atleast dot 3...
if you look at the side of the res. there will be a hose comming off it and that goes to the Clutch master Cylinder....

Originally Posted by darion45405

also any other information you can tell me such as quirks common to these cars would be very appreciated. thank you.

Your welcome and welcome! glad to see new People!

[german-speed-demon]

Greets. theboys seem to have gotten most of the stuff already answered for you, so i'll just stay kinda quiet.